Apparatus for actuating a switch



April 28, 1970 R. w. NEW 3,509,295

APPARATUS FOR ACTUATING A SWITCH Filed Jan. 25, 1968 35 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG! RUSSE L W NEW I NVENTOR BY W g/W ATTORNEYS April 28, 1970 R. w. NEW

APPARATUS FOR ACTUATING A SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25 1968 RUssEL vv. NEW

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent ()1 :"fice 3,509,295 Patented Apr. 28, 1970 Us. (:1. 200-38 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A timer wheel is mounted for rotation on a shaft supported by a mounting plate. A spring urges the wheel to rotate in one direction and a stop limits its rotation in said one direction. The timer wheel is rotated by a motor driven drive wheel which is moved into and out of driving engagement by a solenoid that is energized when the apparatus is actuated. A combination switch actuating and latch arm holds the drive wheel in driving engagement. The timer disc has a projecting finger which engages the latch and switch actuating arm, moves it out of holding position and disconnects the drive wheel from the timer wheel. As the latch is released, the arm actuates a switch. The angle through which the finger is rotated before it engages the actuator arm determines the time required for the apparatus to actuate a switch.

This invention relates to apparatus for actuatinga switch after a time delay.

There are many applications where it is desirable to actuate a switch after a considerable time delay. For example, such apparatus can be used to turn off power to the control system of a coin-operated gasoline pump, after a suflicient period of time has elapsed for the customer to have received the gasoline he purchased. This is an important safety feature in such control systems. It is particularly important where a dangerous liquid is being dispensed, such as gasoline. The time allowed the customer to dispense the liquid he has purchased, however, must be adequate. In coin-operated gasoline pumps, for example, a time delay period of five minutes or more is desirable.

It is an object of this invention to provide apparatus that will actuate a switch after a substantial time delay.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus for actuating a switch after a time delay that can be quickly and easily adjusted.

It is another object of this invention to provide such apparatus that can be adjusted between a wide range of time delays.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus for actuating a switch after a time delay which will automatically reset itself for another operation after it actuates the switch.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide apparatus for moving a switch to either the on or off position and then returning the switch to its original condition after a preselected period of time.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification, including the attached drawings and appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of this invention in operation;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the back of the apparatus of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURES 3 and 4 areplan views from the front side of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, the apparatus being shown in FIGURE 3 at the beginning of the time delay period and in FIGURE 4 at the end of the period, as the apparatus actuates the switch.

The apparatus and the switch it actuates after a time delay are mounted on mounting plate 10. The mounting plate has portions 11 and 12 bent at 90 from the plane of the mounting plate to provide mounting flanges. Electrical switch 13 is mounted on the mounting plate at its lower left hand side by L-shaped mounting bracket 14. The switch is actuated by actuator 15, which is pivotally mounted on the top of the switch. When the actuator is pivoted downwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 4,

the switch is in one condition, either opened or closed as the case may be, and when the actuator is pivoted up- 'wardly to the position shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the switch is in the opposite condition. Spring means inside the switch urge the actuator to the position shown in FIG- URES l and 3.

A shaft (not shown) is fixed to mounting plate 10 to rotatably support timer wheel 16. A suitable washer (not shown) is located between the timer wheel and the mounting plate to space the timer wheel away from the plate far enough for it to rotate freely on the shaft.

Means are provided to be operated by the timer wheel to actuate switch 13. In the embodiment shown, this means includes timer plate 17, which is positioned on the timer wheel shaft on the side of the wheel away from mounting plate 10 and switch actuating arm 38 pivotally mounted on mounting plate 10 by volt 39. The plate has projecting finger 18, which extends beyond the periphery of the timer wheel to engage portion 38a of arm 38 as the finger is rotated. Further rotation of the finger pivots arm 38 clockwise moving the arm to the switch actuating position shown in FIGURE 4. Portion 38b of the arm engages the switch actuator and actuates the switch when the arm is in this position. Coil spring 40 urges the arm to pivot away from its switch actuating position.

Means are provided for adjusting the angle through which the timer wheel is rotated to actuate a switch. In the embodiment shown, timer plate 17 is provided with arcuate slot 19 through which adjusting screw 20 extends. A tapped hole is provided in the timing wheel to receive adjusting screw 20. The adjusting screw provides a releasable connection between the timer plate and the mounting wheel to permit the position of finger 18 to be adjusted relative to the timer wheel to change the angle through which the finger must move to actuate switch 13.

Means are provided for resiliently urging the timer wheel to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and means are provided to limit the rotation of the timer wheel in this direction. In the embodiment shown, pin 16a is attached to the timer wheel. The pin engages lug 10a attached to the mounting plate and limits the distance the timer wheel and the timer plate can be rotated in a counterclockwise direction. Both the pin and lug are shown by dotted lines in FIGURE 3.

Bushing 21 is fixed on the outer end of the timing wheel shaft by machine screw 22 to hold the timing wheel and timing plate on the shaft. Coil spring 24 encircles the bushing and has one end connected to pin 23, which is attached to the bushing. The other end of the spring is attached to finger 18. The spring is arranged to resiliently urge finger 18, and through the finger, timer plate 17, and timer wheel 16 in a counterclockwise direction to the ex tent allowed by the stop pins carried by the timer wheel and the mounting plate.

Drive means are provided for rotating the timer wheel away from the stop means in a clockwise direction to actuate the switch after a delay of the time required for the timer wheel to move finger 18 far enough to pivot arm 38 and actuate the switch. In the embodiment shown, such means includes drive motor 26, speed reducer 27,

and drive wheel 28. Motor 26 and speed reducer 27 are located on the opposite side of the mounting plate from the timer wheel and switch. Drive wheel 28 is located on the same side as these components. It is mounted on output shaft 29 of the speed reducer, which extends through opening 30 in mounting plate 12. Only the end of the output shaft is visible since the portion between the wheel and the speed reducer is enclosed in a bearing housing, which is just visible through opening 30 in FIGURE 1.

Means are provided for connecting the drive means to the timer wheel, when the apparatus is actuated. In the embodiment shown, the drive means, comprising motor 26, speed reducer 27, and drive wheel 28, are mounted on motor mounting plate 33. This plate is pivotally attached -to mounting plate by bolt 34. Drive wheel 28 is located generally in the same plane as timer wheel 16 so that by pivoting motor mounting plate 33 around bolt 34, the drive wheel can be moved into and out of driving engagement with the timer wheel. To increase the friction between the two wheels, the periphery of the timer wheel is knurled and the periphery of the drive wheel is coated with rubber.

In the embodiment shown, the means for so pivoting the motor mounting plate includes solenoid 35 and coil spring 36. The coil of the solenoid is attached to mounting plate 10 and its armature 35a is connected to motor mounting plate 33. When the solenoid is energized, it will pull armature 35a into the coil, pivot motor mounting plate 33 and move drive wheel 28 into driving engagement with the timer wheel, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3. When the solenoid is de-energized, spring 36 will pivot motor mounting plate 33 and move the drive wheel out of driving engagement with the timer wheel.

This apparatus can be connected into a circuit so that the solenoid remains energized during the entire operation of the apparatus. Then when switch 13 is actuated by the switch actuating means, it will de-energize solenoid 35 thereby disconnecting the driving connection be tween the drive wheel and the timer wheel. In the embodiment shown, however, latch means are provided to hold the drive wheel in engagement with the timer wheel after they have been moved into driving engagement by the solenoid. This permits solenoid 35 to be de-energized after establishing the driving connection. The latch means comprises shoulder 43 and lug 41. When solenoid 35 is energized to move drive wheel 28 in engagement with the timer wheel, lug 41 will move upwardly along the side of arm 38. Shoulder 43 on the arm is located to be moved under lug 41 by spring 40, when drive wheel 28 is in driving engagement with the timer wheel. The engagement of lug 41 and shoulder 43 holds the two wheels in driving engagement and permits solenoid 35 to be deenergized. When switch actuating arm 38 is pivoted to switch actuating position, as shown in FIGURE 4, shoulder 43 will be moved out of engagement with lug 41. Motor mounting plate 33 is now free to pivot and move drive wheel 28 out of driving engagement with the timer wheel. Spring 24 can now return the timer wheel and arm 18 to their initial positions. Instead of using solenoid 35 to electrically latch lug 41 and shoulder 43, it could be done manually with a coin slide or other mechanical means.

In the embodiment shown, lug 41 is positioned to hold arm 38 substantially in the switch actuating position shown in FIGURE 4 through the weight of drive motor 26 and the other apparatus attached to motor mounting plate 33, along with the spring force exerted by spring 36. Thus, the switch is returned to the condition it was in before the solenoid was energized. Alternatively, sufficient clearance can be provided between lug 41 and latch arm 38 to allow latch arm 38 to be moved by spring 40 far enough for the switch to return to its other condition. The arrangement used will depend upon the particular function of switch 13 in the circuit.

As explained above, by adjusting the position of finger 18 relative to the timer wheel, the time required to actuate switch 13 after solenoid 35 is energized can be adjusted. The range of adjustments available will depend on the speed of drive motor 26, the speed reduction provided by speed reducer 27, and the relative diameters of timer wheel 16 and drive wheel 28. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a drive motor that rotated three revolutions per minute was used. The speed reduction provided by speed reducer 27 was 30 to 1 and the ratio of the diameters of the two wheels provided a reduction of three to one. With this particular arrangement, timer wheel 16 will rotate one revolution every 15 minutes. In the drawings, finger 18 is positioned so that it will move through about a 55 angle before switch 13 is actuated. To move through this angle with this drive arrangement will require about 2.3 minutes.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus and structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The invention having been described, what is claimed 1. Apparatus for actuating a switch after a time delay comprising a timer wheel, means supporting the wheel for rotation, means resiliently urging the timer wheel to rotate in one direction, stop means limiting the rotation of the wheel in said one direction, means, operated by the timer wheel, that actuate a switch when the timer wheel is rotated in the opposite direction, means adjusting the angle through which said timer wheel is rotated to cause the switch actuating means to actuate such switch to change the time required to actuate such switch, drive means rotating the timer wheel away from the stop means, and means connecting the drive means to the timer wheel when the apparatus is actuated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the drive means includes a motor and a drive wheel rotated by the motor and in which the means connecting the drive means. and

the timer motor includes a mounting plate for the motor switch actuating position, resilient means urging the switch actuating arm out of switch actuating position, and means carried by the timer wheel to engage the switch actuating arm and move it to switch actuating position as the timer wheel is rotated in said one direction away from the stop means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in'which the motor mounting plate is provided with a lug member for engaging the switch actuating arm to hold it in switch actuating posi-' tion when the motor mounting'plate is pivoted to move the drive wheel out of driving engagement with the timer wheel.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further provided with latch means releasably holding the motor mounting plate in position to hold the drive wheel in driving engagement with the timer wheel after they have been moved into engagement and for releasing the motor mounting plate to disconnect the driving connection between and drive wheel and the timer wheel when the means carried by the timer wheel engages the switch actuating arm and moves it to switch actuating position.

6. The apparatus of claim in which the latch means includes a shoulder on said switch actuating arm located to move under the lug member when the drive wheel has been moved into driving engagement with the timer wheel and said resilient means pivots said switch actuating arm out of switch actuating position to hold the wheels in engagement until the switch actuating arm engaging means carried by the timer wheel engages the switch actuator arm and pivots it into switch actuating position and moves the shoulder out of position to support the lug member.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said motor mounting plate pivoting means comprises a solenoid.

8. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the means carried by the timer wheel to engage the switch actuating arm comprises a timer plate having a projecting finger, means releasablymounting the timer plate on the timer wheel with the finger positioned to engage the switch actuating arm, as the timer plate rotates with the timer wheel, and pivot the switch actuating arm to its switch actuating position, said timer plate mounting means being releasable to permit the position of the timer plate finger to be adjusted relative to the timer wheel to change the time delay before the switch is actuated after the timer wheel is rotated away from the stop means by the drive wheel.

9. Apparatus for actuating a switch after a given period of time comprising, a timer wheel, means rotatably supporting the timer wheel, means for resiliently urging the timer wheel to rotate in one direction, stop means limiting the rotation of the wheel in said direction, means operated by the timer wheel for actuating said switch when the timer wheel is rotated away from the stop means in the other direction, means adjusting the angle through which said timer wheel is rotated to actuate said switch to change the time required to rotate the timer wheel far enough to actuate said switch, and means rotating the timer wheel in said other direction away from the stop means including a drive wheel, means rotating the drive wheel, and means moving the drive wheel into driving engagement with the timer wheel.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the means moving the drive wheel into driving engagement with the timer wheel includes a solenoid.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further provided with latch means holding the drive wheel in driving engagement'with the timer wheel to permit the solenoid to be de-energized after operation of the solenoid has moved the drive wheel into driving engagement with the timer wheel.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 in which the switch actuating means release the latch means when the switch actuating means actuates the switch to release the driving connection between the drive wheel and the timer wheel to permit the resilient means to rotate the timer wheel back into engagement with the stop means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,548,604 4/1951 Hickey. 2,583,333 1/1952 Greenwald. 2,610,722 9/ 1952 West. 2,855,476 10/ 1958 Garrard. 3,156,851 11/ 1964 Monday. 3,207,933 9/1965 Rogerson. 3,369,085 2/ 1968 Saginario et a1.

HERMAN O. JONES, Primary Examiner 

